Russians made up for most of the traffic, with 239,000 border crossings, the latest statistics from the Eastern Finnmark Police Department show.

The number of Norwegians traveling to Russia via Storskog has gone considerably up the last year. 58.446 Norwegians crossed the border in 2013 – more than 50 percent more than in 2012. The main reason for the increased Norwegian traffic is the system of visa-free travel for border citizens, which was introduced in May 2012.

Most people cross the border to do shopping in the neighboring country. Many Russians are also using Kirkenes airport when leaving for holidays in Europe.

The existing border-crossing station is dimensioned for 150.000 passengers annually, so cars and people are queuing up on the busiest days. Russia in November 2013 announced a €26 million funding planfor a brand new check-point at Borisoglebsk.Norwegian authorities, on the other hand, have for years been discussing how to find funding for a new border check-point on the Norwegian side of the border.

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How come that the Barents and the Balkan regions have nearly the same average life expectancy, but their GDPs are dramatically different? BarentsObserver compares two border regions trying to find an answer.

Terrorism fears, with police and soldiers likely targets, is the reason for the special decision to allow Finnish Border Guards to be armed when on patrol in the normally relaxed town of Kirkenes in Norway’s northeastern corner.

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Tourists will be replaced by soldiers and scientists on the North Pole this spring. Instead of the traditional Barneo ice camp, Russia is about to establish two bases – one for scientists and one for the military.

The overall goal for Norwegian Arctic Policy is to ensure that the current geopolitical tensions do not spill over and pose a challenge to peace and stability characterizing the region, says Foreign Minister Børge Brende.

How come that the Barents and the Balkan regions have nearly the same average life expectancy, but their GDPs are dramatically different? BarentsObserver compares two border regions trying to find an answer.

Terrorism fears, with police and soldiers likely targets, is the reason for the special decision to allow Finnish Border Guards to be armed when on patrol in the normally relaxed town of Kirkenes in Norway’s northeastern corner.

Eva Biaudet, Finland’s Non Discrimination Ombudsman says to BarentsObserver the rejection of the ratification of ILO Convention No. 169 was a step backwards for the political efforts to strengthen Sami rights.